MOTION MOUNTAIN

236 7 the story of the brain
F I G U R E 160 Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951).
Ref. 203
Vol. II, page 223
Ref. 204
Challenge 242 e
Ref. 205
Physiologists, neurologists and computer scientists are concerned with the way the brain
and the senses make this possible; linguists focus on the properties of the language we
use, while logicians, mathematicians and philosophers of science study the general properties
of statements about nature. All these fields investigate tools that are essential for
the development of physics, the understanding of motion and the specification of the
undefined concepts listed above. The fields structure the following exploration.
Evolution
“Ahenisonlyanegg’swayofmaking another
egg.
SamuelButler,LifeandHabit.”
The evolution of the human species is the result of a long story that has been told in
many excellent books. A summarizing table on the history of the universe was given in
the exploration of general relativity. The almost incredible chain of events that has lead
to one’s own existence includes the formation of atoms, of the galaxies, the stars, the
planets, the Moon, the atmosphere, the oceans, the first cells, the water animals, the land
animals, the mammals, the hominids, the humans, the ancestors, the family and finally,
oneself.
The way the atoms we are made of moved during this sequence, being blown through
space, being collected on Earth, becoming organized to form organic matter and then
people, is one of the most awe-inspiring examples of motion. Remembering and meditating
about this cosmic sequence of motion every now and then can be an enriching
experience.
In particular, without biological evolution, we would not be able to talk about motion
at all; only moving bodies can study moving bodies. Without evolution, we would have
no muscles, no senses, no nerves and no brains. And without a brain, we would not be
able to think or talk. Evolution was also the fount of childhood and curiosity. In this
chapter we will discover that most concepts of classical physics are already introduced
by every little child, in the experiences it has while growing up.
Children, laws and physics
“Physicistsalsohaveasharedreality. Otherthan
that,thereisn’treallyalotofdifferencebetween
beingaphysicistandbeing aschizophrenic.
RichardBandler”
Motion Mountain – The Adventure of Physics copyright © Christoph Schiller June 1990–November 2015 free pdf file available at www.motionmountain.net